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Cho T, Kohagura J, Numakura T, Hirata M, Higaki H, Hojo H, Ichimura M, Ishii K, Islam KM, Itakura A, Katanuma I, Minami R, Nakashima Y, Saito T, Tatematsu Y, Watanabe O, Yoshikawa M, Kojima A, Miyake Y, Miyata Y, Shimizu K, Tomii Y, Yoshida M, Sakamoto K, Imai T, Pastukhov VP, Miyoshi S. Observation and control of transverse energy-transport barrier due to the formation of an energetic-electron layer with sheared ExB flow. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2006; 97:055001. [PMID: 17026107 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.97.055001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2005] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Off-axis electron-cyclotron heating in an axisymmetric barrier mirror produces a cylindrical layer with energetic electrons, which flow through the central cell and into the end region. The layer, producing a localized bumped ambipolar potential Phi(C), forms a strong shear of radial electric fields E(r) and peaked vorticity with the direction reversal of E(r)xB sheared flow near the Phi(C) peak. Intermittent vortexlike turbulent structures near the layer are suppressed in the central cell by this actively produced transverse energy-transport barrier; this results in T(e) and T(i) rises surrounded by the layer.
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Ishimatsu S, Itakura A, Okada M, Kotani T, Iwase A, Kajiyama H, Ino K, Kikkawa F. Angiotensin II Augmented Migration and Invasion of Choriocarcinoma Cells Involves PI3K Activation Through the AT1 Receptor. Placenta 2006; 27:587-91. [PMID: 16122787 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2005.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2005] [Revised: 06/27/2005] [Accepted: 07/05/2005] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
While angiotensin II (Ang II) has been shown to inhibit migration of extravillous trophoblasts via plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) activation, it has remained unclear whether it stimulates or inhibits malignant behavior of choriocarcinoma cells. Since we previously found an involvement of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) in the proliferative potential in choriocarcinoma cells (BeWo), mediated via the Ang II type 1 receptor (AT1R), in the present study we investigated the effects of Ang II on choriocarcinoma cell migration/invasion in vitro using Transwell cell culture chambers. Ang II (10(-8)M) promoted migration and invasion by a choriocarcinoma cell line and augmented random cell mobility on checkerboard analysis. Immunoblotting showed Ang II to activate the phosphorylation of FAK and Akt in BeWo cells. Furthermore Ang II effects on cell migration were abolished by a selective AT1R antagonist and a phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitor. The present results suggest that Ang II-induced migration and invasion of choriocarcinoma cells probably involves PI3K following binding to the AT1R.
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Yamamoto E, Ito T, Abe A, Sido F, Ino K, Itakura A, Mizutani S, Dovat S, Nomura S, Kikkawa F. Ikaros is expressed in human extravillous trophoblasts and involved in their migration and invasion. Mol Hum Reprod 2005; 11:825-31. [PMID: 16364975 DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gah239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The transcriptional factor Ikaros was originally found to function as a key regulator of lymphocyte differentiation. In addition, we have reported that Ikaros regulates the human placental leucine aminopeptidase (P-LAP)/insulin-regulated aminopeptidase (IRAP) gene in choriocarcinoma trophoblastic cells, suggesting that Ikaros might be involved in placental development, while even its presence in human placenta remains undetermined. We therefore sought to clarify the location and roles of Ikaros in human placenta. Immunohistochemical analysis showed modest Ikaris expression in syncytium, and intense expression in extravillous trophoblasts (EVTs) in first trimester placenta. Western blot analysis showed that villous trophoblasts principally expressed Ikaros-2/3, while Ikaros-x (Ikx) was predominantly expressed in cultured EVTs. Furthermore, to investigate the functional role of Ikx in EVTs, the EVT cell line HTR-8/SVneo was infected with a retrovirus vector expressing the hemagglutinin (HA)-tagged dominant negative isoform Ikaros-6 (Ik6), which prevents the DNA-binding activity of Ikx. Antibody against HA showed successful transduction of Ik6 in HTR-8/SVneo cells on immunocytochemistry and Western blotting. Transduction of Ik6 significantly reduced the migratory and invasive abilities of HTR-8/SVneo cells. These results suggest that Ikx is involved in migration and invasion of EVTs in early placentation.
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Nishikawa M, Itakura A, Ito M, Takeuchi M, Sato Y, Kajiyama H, Mizutani S, Kikkawa F. Changes in placental dipeptidyl peptidase IV in preeclampsia with intrauterine growth restriction. Horm Metab Res 2005; 37:408-13. [PMID: 16034711 DOI: 10.1055/s-2005-870229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to examine alterations in placental expression of dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPPIV). The localization of DPPIV was compared in control and preeclamptic placentas. Enzyme activity, mRNA, and protein expression were also measured. In term placentas, DPPIV was expressed preferentially in the fetal vascular endothelial cells within stem villi and only weakly in the villous stromal cells. DPPIV activity in control placentas showed no remarkable changes throughout gestation. Levels of activity in samples from normotensive control cases and women having preeclampsia with or without intrauterine growth restriction were 11.8 +/- 2.1, 13.4 +/- 1.1, and 15.3 +/- 0.62 pmol pNA/min/mg protein, respectively. The preeclamptic placentas with intrauterine growth restriction thus showed significantly higher levels of activity than the controls (p < 0.05). We propose that placental DPPIV influences fetal metabolism via the degradation of fetoplacental circulating bioactive peptides, including incretins, resulting in the regulation of fetal growth.
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Cho T, Yoshida M, Kohagura J, Hirata M, Numakura T, Higaki H, Hojo H, Ichimura M, Ishii K, Islam KM, Itakura A, Katanuma I, Nakashima Y, Saito T, Tatematsu Y, Yoshikawa M, Kojima Y, Tokioka S, Yokoyama N, Tomii Y, Imai T, Pastukhov VP, Miyoshi S. Observation of the effects of radially sheared electric fields on the suppression of turbulent vortex structures and the associated transverse loss in GAMMA 10. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2005; 94:085002. [PMID: 15783899 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.94.085002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2004] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Vortexlike turbulent structures in hot-ion mode plasmas with several keV are observed in the case with a radially produced weak shear of electric fields E(r). However, a strong E(r) shear formation due to a high ion-confining potential phi(c) production clears up these vortices together with plasma-confinement improvement and disappearance of both drift-wave and turbulencelike Fourier spectral signals. These findings are based on three-time progress in phi(c) in comparison to phi(c) attained 1992-2002. The significant advance of phi(c) is well extended in line with proposed potential-formation physics scalings.
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Kojima A, Ishii K, Takemura Y, Hagisawa K, Miyata Y, Yamaguchi T, Masuda Y, Itakura A, Yoshikawa M, Ichimura M, Cho T. Measurement of the Radial Flux Induced by the Fluctuations Using the Gold Neutral Beam Probe in the Tandem Mirror GAMMA 10. FUSION SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY 2005. [DOI: 10.13182/fst05-a672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
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Itakura A, Takagi S, Tsunoda S, Hirai T, Hojo H, Shima Y, Yoshikawa M, Cho T. Fluctuation Measurement Using an Ultrashort-Pulse Reflectometry on the GAMMA 10. FUSION SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY 2005. [DOI: 10.13182/fst05-a670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
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Yoshikawa M, Saito M, Kubota Y, Kobayashi T, Nakashima Y, Higashizono Y, Itakura A, Hirata M, Miyake Y, Kohagura J, Cho T. Hα Measurements in the Plug/Barrier Cells of the Tandem Mirror GAMMA 10. FUSION SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY 2005. [DOI: 10.13182/fst05-a683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
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Abstract
To shed light on the role of bradykinin in preeclampsia in addition to acute hypoxia, we measured the activity of kininase I, the enzyme responsible for its degradation, in umbilical plasma. Kininase I activity in umbilical arteries was compared with that in the umbilical veins. The relationship between kininase I and pH values was also evaluated in women with and without preeclampsia. Also, enzyme activity in supernatants of fetal hepatic cells (NFL/T) cultured under hypoxic or normoxic conditions were determined. Kininase I activity levels in fetal umbilical arteries and veins (n = 33) were similar (r = 0.77). Hypoxia caused suppression of kininase I activity in the supernatant cultures of NFL/T after one hour. However, after 8 and 24 hours, kininase I activity was significantly greater than under normoxic conditions (p < 0.05). Kininase I activity of fetal umbilical vein significantly decreased in the presence of acidemia in the uncomplicated group (n = 75, r = 0.42), whereas the activity negatively correlated with umbilical arterial pH in the preeclamptic group (n = 10, r = - 0.65). Kininase I activity levels in cases complicated with preeclampsia were significantly higher than without preeclampsia (49.2 +/- 9.1 vs. 66.2 +/- 11.3 nmol/ml/min). The present study indicates that kininase I acts as a regulatory factor in bradykinin degradation.
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Murata Y, Ohno Y, Itakura A, Takeuchi M, Nakashima Y, Kuno N, Mizutani S. Bestatin results in pathophysiological changes similar to preeclampsia in rats via induction of placental apoptosis. Horm Metab Res 2003; 35:343-8. [PMID: 12920655 DOI: 10.1055/s-2003-41354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To establish a rat preeclampsia model with fetoplacental growth restriction caused by bestatin via induction of placental apoptosis. STUDY DESIGN 200 mg/kg/day of bestatin or saline as a control were infused intraperitoneally into pregnant Wistar rats from 15 days' gestation. In the first experiment, maternal blood pressure and proteinuria were examined during the pre- and postpartum periods. In the second experiment, cesarean sections were performed at 20 days' gestation and the weights of pups and placentas, and levels of proteinuria and placental apoptosis were examined. RESULTS Physiological decrease of blood pressure in late pregnancy was not detected in the bestatin group but proteinuria level at 20 days' gestation was elevated. The weights of pups and placentas in the bestatin group were significantly lower than those in the controls, bestatin strongly inducing apoptosis in the placenta. CONCLUSION Bestatin may cause a preeclampsia-like condition through induction of placental apoptosis.
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Itakura A, Okamura M, Ohta T, Mizutani S. Conservative treatment of a second trimester cervicoisthmic pregnancy diagnosed by magnetic resonance imaging. Obstet Gynecol 2003; 101:1149-51. [PMID: 12738134 DOI: 10.1016/s0029-7844(02)02625-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A cervicoisthmic pregnancy, which may be carried to term, is potentially dangerous for the pregnant woman. With ultrasonographic evaluation alone the diagnosis of a cervical pregnancy in the second trimester is difficult. CASE A nulliparous 33-year-old woman at 21 weeks' gestation was diagnosed by ultrafast T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to have a cervicoisthmic pregnancy. After the infant was delivered live by cesarean with a vertical fundal incision, methotrexate was infused into the placenta via the umbilical vein. The next day she received uterine artery methotrexate infusion and embolization with platinum coils. Eight months later there was no trace of the placenta on ultrasonography or MRI. She subsequently resumed normal menstrual cycles, conceived, and delivered a healthy infant at term by cesarean after 2 years. CONCLUSION This report describes MRI and successful preservation of fertility with such an advanced cervicoisthmic pregnancy.
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Than NG, Itakura A, Rao CV, Nohira T, Toth P, Mansell JP, Isaka K, Nishi H, Takayama M, Than GN. Clinical applications of pregnancy-related proteins--a workshop report. Placenta 2003; 24 Suppl A:S60-4. [PMID: 12842415 DOI: 10.1053/plac.2002.0947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
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Campos R, Szczepanik M, Itakura A, Kronenberg M, Askenase P. NKT cell-derived IL-4 is required early in allergic contact sensitivity (CS). J Allergy Clin Immunol 2003. [DOI: 10.1016/s0091-6749(03)80976-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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Nakashima Y, Cho T, Fukasawa T, Higaki H, Hirata M, Hojo H, Ichimura M, Ishii K, Ishimoto Y, Islam MK, Itakura A, Ito T, Katanuma I, Kobayashi S, Kohagura J, Kubota Y, Minami R, Numakura T, Saito T, Saosaki BS, Takemura Y, Tatematsu Y, Yoshida M, Yoshikawa M, Yatsu K. Recent Results of High Density Experiments in the Gamma 10 Tandem Mirror. FUSION SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY 2003. [DOI: 10.13182/fst03-a11963580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
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Kojima A, Ishii K, Takemura Y, Hagisawa K, Itakura A, Ichimura M, Yatsu K. Development of Alfvén Ion Cyclotron Fluctuation Measurement by Use of a Gold Neutral Beam Probe in the Tandem Mirror Gamma10. FUSION SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY 2003. [DOI: 10.13182/fst03-a11963612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
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Ishii K, Takemura Y, Fueki A, Shimoo M, Tsutsui K, Hagisawa K, Kojima A, Katanuma I, Saito T, Itakura A, Yatsu K. Radial Potential Control for Plasma Confinement in the Tandem Mirror GAMMA 10. FUSION SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY 2003. [DOI: 10.13182/fst03-a11963581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
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Itakura A, Hirai T, Hojo H, Kohagura J, Shima Y, Tsunoda S, Yoshikawa M, Yatsu K. Ultrashort-Pulse Reflectometry in the Gamma 10 Device. FUSION SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY 2003. [DOI: 10.13182/fst03-a11963603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
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Takemura Y, Ishii K, Fueki A, Hagisawa K, Kojima A, Itakura A, Yatsu K. Measurement of Plasma Density Using a Gold Film Detector in the Inner Mirror Throat of the Gamma10 Tandem Mirror. FUSION SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY 2003. [DOI: 10.13182/fst03-a11963615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
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Nomura M, Tsukahara S, Ando H, Katsumata Y, Okada M, Itakura A, Nomura S, Kikkawa F, Nagasaka T, Mizutani S. Differential distribution of placental leucine aminopeptidase/oxytocinase and aminopeptidase A in human trophoblasts of normal placenta and complete hydatidiform mole. Placenta 2002; 23:631-9. [PMID: 12361682 DOI: 10.1053/plac.2002.0861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Placental leucine aminopeptidase (P-LAP)/oxytocinase (OTase) degrades several small peptides such as oxytocin (OT), arginine vasopressin (AVP) and angiotensin III (ANGIII), and aminopeptidase A (AP-A) converts angiotensin II (ANGII) to ANGIII. These proteases play an important role in foetal growth and the maintenance of human homeostasis during pregnancy. In this study, we confirmed the distribution of P-LAP and AP-A proteins and messenger RNAs in human trophoblasts in normal placenta and complete hydatidiform mole by immunohistochemical and in-situ hybridization techniques. Immunoreactivity of P-LAP was mainly noted in the apical membrane of syncytiotrophoblasts, and the expression of messenger RNA (mRNA) for P-LAP was predominantly noted in the cytoplasm of syncytiotrophoblastic cells. However, immunoreactivity of AP-A was mainly noted in the apical membrane of cytotrophoblasts and in the basal zone of the syncytiotrophoblasts, and the expression of mRNA for AP-A was predominantly noted in cytoplasm of cytotrophoblastic cells and a little in cytoplasm of syncytiotrophoblastic cells. Thereby, the two proteases were differentially distributed both in normal placenta and hydatidiform mole throughout the gestational age. These results are useful for the further understanding of not only the pathophysiology of pregnancy, but also the pathogenesis of trophoblastic diseases.
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Kikkawa F, Kajiyama H, Ino K, Watanabe Y, Ito M, Nomura S, Itakura A, Tsujimoto M, Mizutani S. Possible involvement of placental peptidases that degrade gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) in the dynamic pattern of placental hCG secretion via GnRH degradation. Placenta 2002; 23:483-9. [PMID: 12137746 DOI: 10.1053/plac.2002.0794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
The presence of an extrahypothalamic gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) in human placenta is well known and this decapeptide is presumed to play an important role in the regulation of the function and growth of human placenta. Immunohistochemistry showed that neutral endopeptidase 24.11 (NEP), a candidate of the responsible enzyme of GnRH degradation, is highly expressed on the cell surface of trophoblasts. Hydrolysis of GnRH by human villi was studied by measuring liberated amino acids using high performance liquid chromatography. The GnRH degrading activity was 1.53 times higher after incubation with the membrane fraction of first trimester villi than that after incubation with the membrane fraction of term villi. Phosphoramidon, a potent inhibitor of NEP, reduced the liberated amino acids to about a half, suggesting that NEP is a responsible enzyme for GnRH degradation. Ubenimex, which can inhibit several aminopeptidases, also reduced the liberated amino acids to about 50 per cent. O-phenanthroline, EDTA, and thiorphan could inhibit GnRH degradation but inhibitors of post proline endopeptidase could not. Furthermore, GnRH degrading activity of the membrane fraction was reduced remarkably after the membrane fraction was immunotitrated by anti NEP and anti placental leucine aminopeptidase (P-LAP) IgG. In conclusion, NEP and P-LAP are responsible enzymes for GnRH degradation in human villi.
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Itoh H, Itakura A, Kurauchi O, Okamura M, Nakamura H, Mizutani S. Hepatocyte growth factor in human breast milk acts as a trophic factor. Horm Metab Res 2002; 34:16-20. [PMID: 11832996 DOI: 10.1055/s-2002-19961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
To evaluate the significance of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) in milk in the perinatal period, we examined immunoreactive HGF levels and bioactivity in human milk. Human milk samples were obtained from women at various postpartum ages, and the levels of HGF were measured by ELISA. In the cross sectional study, the concentration of milk HGF from term deliveries showed a significant inverse correlation with progress of lactation, whereas in cases of preterm delivery concentrations, levels remained high after a long period of lactation. In the longitudinal analysis, the contents of HGF in colostrum, transitional, and mature milk from preterm deliveries were significantly be higher than those from term deliveries. Although mature milk from term and preterm deliveries contained significantly lower levels of HGF than colostrum, high levels of HGF persisted in mature milk from preterm deliveries. After partial purification, immunoblotting analysis showed the presence of both alpha- and beta-chains of HGF. HGF in milk stimulated proliferation of rat hepatocytes in primary culture, which was inhibited by supplementation with anti-HGF antibody. Thus, a high concentration of bioactive HGF is present in human milk in the postpartum period. Our results suggest that HGF in milk acts as a trophic factor for the gastrointestinal tract in neonates.
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Matsumoto M, Itakura A, Tanaka A, Fujisawa C, Matsuda H. Inability of IL-12 to down-regulate IgE synthesis due to defective production of IFN-gamma in atopic NC/Nga mice. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2001; 167:5955-62. [PMID: 11698474 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.167.10.5955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
NC/Nga mice raised in nonsterile circumstances spontaneously suffer from atopic dermatitis-like skin lesions with IgE hyperproduction. We investigated effects of rIL-12 on the IgE production in NC/Nga mice. rIL-12 administration was successful to suppress the increase of IgE levels in BALB/c mice immunized with OVA and aluminum hydroxide, but failed to abrogate that in NC/Nga mice. Both in vivo and in vitro IFN-gamma production induced by rIL-12 was less in NC/Nga mice than in BALB/c mice. Addition of rIFN-gamma to rIL-4 and LPS completely abrogated IgE production by B cells of BALB/c mice, but was insufficient to suppress it by B cells of NC/Nga mice. In splenic cells pretreated with Con A, STAT4 was phosphorylated at the tyrosine residue by addition of rIL-12, which was more weakly inducible in NC/Nga mice than in BALB/c mice. Finally, we examined the preventive ability of rIL-12 on the clinical aspects of atopic dermatitis in NC/Nga mice. rIL-12 administration resulted in exacerbation of development of the skin lesions and IgE production in NC/Nga mice raised in nonsterile circumstances. These results suggest that defective production of IFN-gamma by T cells less sensitive to IL-12 and low responsiveness of B cells to IFN-gamma may contribute to IgE hyperproduction in NC/Nga mice, and that IL-12 may have no ability to improve the clinical aspects of NC/Nga mice.
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Aoshima T, Kajita M, Sekido Y, Mimura S, Itakura A, Yasuda I, Saheki T, Watanabe K, Shimokata K, Niwa T. Carbamoyl phosphate synthetase I deficiency: molecular genetic findings and prenatal diagnosis. Prenat Diagn 2001; 21:634-7. [PMID: 11536261 DOI: 10.1002/pd.123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
We report a Japanese boy who died at Day 28 of life because of severe carbamoyl phosphate synthetase I (CPS1) deficiency that was proven by enzyme assay. By analysis of cDNA and genomic DNA, he was shown to be a compound heterozygote with two point mutations of the CPS1 gene, 840G>C leading to an aberrant splicing and 1123C>T (predicting Q375X). The 840G>C was a mutation described in another Japanese family. Since his parents carried each mutation heterozygously, we performed prenatal diagnosis at 16 weeks of his mother's next gestation by multiplex PCR and melting curve analysis in a single capillary containing two-color fluorescent (LC-Red 640 and LC-Red 705) probes on LightCycler. We analyzed genomic DNA extracted from amniotic cells and found that the fetus was homozygous for the wild-type alleles. At term a healthy girl was born without hyperammonemia.
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Tsukahara Y, Ohno Y, Itakura A, Mizutani S. Prenatal diagnosis of congenital diaphragmatic eventration by magnetic resonance imaging. Am J Perinatol 2001; 18:241-4. [PMID: 11552177 DOI: 10.1055/s-2001-16992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
Abstract
Diaphragmatic eventration is a rare abnormality, which has the similar ultrasonographic features to congenital diaphragmatic hernia. Therefore, these two diseases are difficult to differentiate from each other prenatally. We present here a case in which the presence of congenital diaphragmatic eventration was strongly suggested by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasonography. A 26-year-old pregnancy woman, gravida 0, para 0, week 35, was admitted to our hospital with an ultrasonographic abnormality of the fetal thorax. MRI and ultrasonography showed interesting features which strongly suggested the presence of congenital diaphragmatic eventration and helped to differentiate it from congenital diaphragmatic hernia.
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Itakura A, Miura Y, Hikasa Y, Kiso Y, Matsuda H. Interleukin-3 and stem cell factor modulate cell cycle regulatory factors in mast cells: negative regulation of p27Kip1 in proliferation of mast cells induced by interleukin-3 but not stem cell factor. Exp Hematol 2001; 29:803-11. [PMID: 11438202 DOI: 10.1016/s0301-472x(01)00659-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Interleukin-3 (IL-3) and stem cell factor (SCF) are able to promote survival and proliferation of mast cells. However, the precise signal transduction cascades leading to mast cell proliferation are not clearly understood. Thus, we sought to define the mechanism of mast cell proliferation induced by IL-3 and SCF. MATERIALS AND METHODS We treated murine bone marrow-derived cultured mast cells (BMCMC) with recombinant IL-3 (rIL-3) or recombinant SCF (rSCF) and examined the effects of rIL-3 and rSCF on cell cycle regulatory factors. RESULTS Both rIL-3 and rSCF suppressed apoptosis of BMCMC. rSCF induced great proliferation of BMCMC with elevation of the proportions of cells in S and G2/M phases, whereas most BMCMC incubated with rIL-3 were arrested in the G1 phase. The G1/S phase transition is initiated by phosphorylated retinoblastoma protein (pRb), which was prominent in cells stimulated with rSCF. In contrast, rIL-3 relatively increased a dephosphorylated form of pRb in BMCMC. Compared with rIL-3, rSCF induced greater expression of cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) 2 and CDK4, which are able to phosphorylate pRb, and cyclin D3, a partner of CDK4. BMCMC treated with rIL-3 contained a high amount of a CDK inhibitor p27Kip1 that was suppressed by pretreatment with Ro31-7549, a protein kinase C inhibitor, whereas rSCF induced weak expression of p27Kip1 in BMCMC. CONCLUSION The results suggest that IL-3 and SCF exert their respective mitogenic effects on mast cells by modulating the expression of pRb, CDK, cyclin, and p27Kip1.
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